HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-03-17 ad Hoc Town Counsel Review Committee MinutesTown Counsel Review Committee Meeting
March 17, 2004
The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Lower Level Conference Room, 16 Lowell
Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Richard Schubert and Members Tom
Ryan, Bill Griset, Camille Anthony, Susan DeMatteo and Robert Spadafora. Also present was
Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner.
On motion by Anthony seconded by DeMatteo, the minutes of March 10, 2004 were
approved by a vote of 5-0-1, with Spadafora abstaining.
Additional survey results from George Hines, Pat Schettini and Beth Klepeis were shared with
the Committee.
Tom Ryan shared a chart that he had done up from the last annual report outlining who uses
Town Counsel. The Selectmen use 50% of Town Counsel, the School Committee approximately
20%, and the Zoning Board of Appeals approximately 11%.
The Committee reviewed the proposals and had the following comments:
Donovan and Hatem - They are proposing to work on a retainer basis. The proposal is vague. It
is weak as far as the depth of experience of the firm and municipal law. They mostly do
litigation and insurance work, and there is concern about the lack of experience in municipal law.
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Pickett, Miyares and Harrington - This appears to be primarily an environmental law firm and
the work there is outstanding. They have little municipal experience.
Robert Diadone - He has no municipal experience in Massachusetts, and only has 31/2 years of
municipal experience total. The Committee has already determined that they are not interested
in a sole practitioner.
Kopelman & Paige - This firm should be interviewed. They are a larger firm. They serve a lot
of municipal clients. Kopelman has indicated that he would not be the lead person for Reading.
There is value to the depth of experience that they would provide. There is a concern as to the
accessibility to personal services and developing a relationship with a single attorney. Most
communities they serve are smaller communities.
Casner and Edwards - The brochure was very professionally done, but there is absolutely no
mention of municipal law experience in the brochure. The firm is nationally known as a real
estate law firm. The lead counsel does not have experience in municipal law other than what
they do in Hamilton and Ipswich.
Brackett & Lucas - The firm is well rounded. They serve 10 towns and they do only municipal
work. The number of clients they serve is a good number to develop municipal experience, but
not so many that they cannot provide service. They have a depth of expertise.
Town Counsel Review Committee Meeting - March 17, 2004 - Page 2
On motion by Spadafora seconded by Griset, the Town Counsel Review Committee voted
to interview Brackett & Lucas and Kopelman & Paige on April 1, 2004 beginning at 7:00
p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0-0. Kopelman & Paige will be interviewed
first.
The Committee talked about whether or not to have preset questions. They felt that it would be
more effective to "go with the flow." Members may have their own questions that they want to
ask both candidates. They will ask the candidates to talk for five minutes about the firm, then
have questions and answers for 45 minutes and have five minutes to summarize. Some questions
that might be asked are: What training can you offer to the Town of Reading to help reduce legal
bills? What is your style of interaction with the community? Are you flexible as to your hourly
rate?
The Town Manager will send a letter to the other four candidates indicating that we have
selected two firms for finalists.
The Committee will meet after the interviews and hope to make a recommendation to the Board
of Selectmen.
On motion by Spadafora seconded by Anthony, the Town Counsel Review Committee
voted to adiourn their meeting of March 17, 2004 at 8:35 p.m. by a vote of 6-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary